Magnificat sur le deuxième ton - Plénat

Taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke (I, 46-55), the Magnificat, an integral part of the office of Vespers, has inspired, in addition to Palestrina, Monteverdi, Bach or Pärt, to name but a few, a very large number of composers, some of whom have even written a different version in each of the eight tones of the traditional liturgy. In the present proposal, Dominique Plénat has chosen the 2nd tone, whose simple melody is easily identifiable when heard and is distributed to the different voices according to the verses. A cappella, thus sparing in resources, this work is intended for a choir of four mixed voices, split at times. One detects a certain attraction for the music of the Renaissance but also harmonies and sequences more contemporary and unexpected. In the end, this mix produces an original and attractive result by the color which emerges from it. Also noteworthy, for each of the voices, the importance given to the phrasing and accentuation of the text, which makes it easier to understand. This score follows a suggestion of Blaise Plumettaz, founder and director of the Choeur régional d'Auvergne, to whom it is dedicated. Written during the very dark period of the first confinement, it attempts to rediscover the light and confidence that run through the Magnificat. On a very old text, a modern approach to be discovered.